It's green in summer, gold in fall and white in winter- Dalton Ranch golf course just minutes north of Duango, Colorado. Our neighborhood has several components, from easy-living condominiums to larger townhomes, family homes, upscale condominiums and luxury homes. There are just a few lots available if building your own home is your dream, and most have great views. One thing that broudht me to this goldf course community 14f years ago was the view- like one of my visiting friends said "Every window is a postcard." She's right- and that is one reason I am still here, enjoying every day in the middle of one of the most scenic river valleys in Colorado.

Wildlife watching and people watching are great spectator sports when you tire of golf, tennis, hiking, biking, river rafting, etc. that are all available nearby. For families, it is close to a great elementary school, Animas Valley Elementary, and the supermarket is within a mile. The golf course has special membership packages right now, and the restaurant is open year round, even when snow covers the  course and offers great snowshoeing or cross-country skiing! If you're interested in Dalton Ranch housing, contact me at marlene@horizondurango.com for the latest real estate update.

See www.daltonranch.com

YES, our land inventory is plentiful, and pricing has never been better! You can get great deals on everything from 1/4 acre lots to large ranches, from mountain property to high desert with big mountain views. Rivers? Ponds? Yes, available!  Here are a few examples and see the details, and many more available at www.durangocoloradoproperty.net 

Elkridge- Valley view lot right in town                               Edgemont Ranch-Nature's finest

Gone hiking yet this summer? If you visit Durango, Colorado area and enjoy summer outdoor activities, there are great hikes for all ages and abilities. One I discovered was a cool (literally- over 9,500 feet elevation) hike out of the Silverton area that takes you over a pass to see the majestic beauty of Trout Lake. Trout Lake is surrounded by tall peaks, and is home to a lucky few dozen summer retreats.

That was last year--this year I cheated and walked an easy trail from the Matterhorn Campground near Telluride to Trout Lake, where I snapped a few quick pics with the phone (ever present, like a tether). Enjoy- and maybe you'll get to visit this little Southwest Colorado lake in the future! Bring your fishin' gear!

What's been selling in Durango, Colorado real estate these days? Typically, summer is our "hot" selling season, but activity has improved from the first and second quarters last year, due to many purchasers taking advantage of the home buyer's tax credit. By June 30, this influence should end as the last of these properties close.

Looking at our MLS generated statistics, the number of Durango in town properties sold increased by 18%, and the average price was down 15% from this time last year. Properties categorized as "Durango Rural" increased in sales by 23%, with a 51% average price increase. This seems to contradict the trend, but in reality, rural properties often are large, and have more acreage, therefore, have higher pricing structures overall. Rural property bargains are readily available and homebuyers have been shopping, and buying those that present good value. This summer, we do expect to see more movement in this market segment.

Looking at Land sales for the same time period, the same number of properties sold as this time period last year, with a 64% drop in average price. With just a few properties to consider, this only means that the lower-priced lots sold.  Land sales classified as Durango Rural were down 5% for the same period with a price decrease of 9%. Land sales usually peak in summer and fall here in Durango, so we look for an increase in sales in this segment as well. 

If you'd like more specific information, contact me at marlene@horizondurango.com, and visit my website at www.durangocoloradoproperty.net

Its been a cool and windy spring out west, but, Memorial Day is just a week away. With Memorial Day comes summer and the height of the griliing season, and I recently was given a great burger recipe.

We all have favorite ways to make burgers, and one thing we have abundant here in Durango Colorado is plenty of organically raised beef. An article in today's Durango Herald (www.durangoherald.com) states that Colorado has the highest percentage of organic meat. Yay, us!  It really is tasty- and we are lucky to have several ranches that sell a variety of organically-raised meats at our Saturday Durango Farmers Market. Check it out- Saturdays at the First National Bank, 8-noon (or a bit later).

Now here's that burger recipe- Happy Grilling! 

Black ‘n Blue Burgers 

Ingredients

CAJUN SEASONING BLEND:

o       3 tablespoons ground cumin

o       3 tablespoons dried oregano

o       1 tablespoon garlic powder

o       1 tablespoon paprika

o       2 teaspoons salt

o       1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

o       (or you can use a store bought Cajun or blackened seasoning)

BURGERS:

o       1 pound ground beef

o       ¼ cup finely chopped onion (optional)

o       1 teaspoon salt

o       ½ teaspoon ground pepper

o       1 teaspoon Cajun Seasoning Blend (recipe above)

o       ½ to 1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce

o       ½ teaspoon Worsteshire sauce

o       1 garlic clove, minced (optional)

o       4 hamburger buns

o       Crumbled blue cheese

o       Extra Cajun seasoning for coating of burgers (optional)

Directions

·       Combine all seasoning blend ingredients in a small bowl or a zip lock plastic bag; mix well.

·       In a bowl, combine the first eight burger ingredients; shape into four patties. Cook on a grill over medium-hot heat for 4-5 minutes per side or until burgers reach desired doneness.

·       Place burgers on baking sheet and place blue cheese on top of each burger.  Place in oven under broiler for ONE minute.

·       Serve on toasted buns (if you'd like) and ENJOY!!!

PIE, PIE, PIE, who doesn't like pie? Ever heard of a pie auction? Before moving to Durango, Colorado almost 14 years ago, I had not. Then notices in the local Durango Herald newspaper would pop up every now and then about somebody's fundraiser, and it would include "pie auction".

Well, I soon learned that this very traditional rural American way of raising money for churches, schools, and neighbors with needs could be very effective. I went to an event hosted for a woman with breast cancer, and was amazed to see all the excitement around the pie auction part of the day. People milled around the tables, talked about the bakers and their entries, and speculated on who wanted which pies. Was I surprised at the bidding! Not $10, or $20 or even $50- NO! Each and every pie went for OVER $100!  Needless to say- fundraising success.

So, the Durango Area Association of Realtors, that I wrote about last week, is including a pie auction to raise funds for our local high school senior scholarship and community organization donation fund. SO COME ON DOWN- JUNE 10 to Rotary Park - and BRING YOUR WALLET to buy some PIE! and CAKE! - we included the cakes for those of us who couldn't make a crust if our life depended on it.---Donations gratefully accepted- contact me at marlene@horizondurango.com!

Like many things in today's economy, golfing is a hobby that can cost more than you'd like. Two of Durango's local courses, the semi-private Dalton Ranch Golf Club, and the private Glacier Club, just came up with remedies for the "golf's expensive" blues.

The 18-hole Dalton Ranch Golf Course is now featuring a special membership at $10,000 initiation fee- with financing available.  Dalton is home to a winter elk herd, as well as deer, fox, coyotes and bald eagles as it runs along the Animas River. Scenery is spectacular with towering red cliffs providing contrast to the lush green course, old cottonwood trees, many ponds (aka "water hazards") and clear, blue Colorado sky. With its many bunkers and sand "lakes"- not traps, too big! Dalton remains a challenge no matter how often one plays. And, its a great walk or ride through one of our most scenic river valleys. See www.daltonranchgolfclub.com for information.

The Glacier Club is 10 minutes north of Dalton Ranch and has been re-developed as a private second-home community. Tamarron resort, the lodge and condominium buildings of which provide many folks with second homes and vacation lodging, is part of the complex.  The Glacier Club currently features a 27-hole mountain course with sloping fairways, blind drives, and an actual "target shoot" off a cliff-top tee box. Glacier Club now provides a special low-priced golf membership for Tamarron owners, as well as one for the general public. As this program varies, contact me at marlene@horizondurango.com for specific information!

WE GET USED TO SEEING BALD EAGLES around here- generally sitting in tall trees, or flying. This is the first time I saw a bald eagle walking- and he walked a good deal of the fairway on hole #13 at Dalton Ranch Golf Course.  He or she is a younger eagle, not really black, but dark brownish with fluffy white head, foot and tail feathers. Large and not afraid of anything, this eagle watched birds at the bird feeder, then strolled down the cart path to visit one of Dalton's many infamous water hazards, aka, a pond. He stayed for a while, then flew off when the groundskeeper rounded the bend in his cart.  Glad I was working at home that morning and caught sight of him!

Durango, Colorado has felt the downturn like everywhere else, and that means that money to support community services is needed even more.  Every year, DAAR, the Durango Area Association of Realtors, has held a big golf tournament that funds our Scholarship Fund and grants to a list of Human Services agencies that help many community members better their lives.

This year, no golf tournament- due to a "limp" market impact on many Realtors and affilites. So, we decided to throw a Party in the Park instead. This event will be a spring picnic, complete with food, drink, fun games for all ages, and listening and dancing to music by a great local band (tbd at time of publishing).  In Fall,we will have another event, and hopefully these 2 can provide our local agencies such as the Women's Resource Center, the Durango Foundation for Educational Excellence, The Safehouse and others with much needed CASH!

And, to make the most of everyone's accelerating schedules, the event is JUNE 10- at the VFW HALL and Rotary Park.  VISITORS AND LOCALS ALIKE ARE WELCOME! Check back for more details as we finalize the band, menu and events! 

Looking for easy living while on vacation- or want a simple, maintenance free lifestyle year round? Whether vacation, retiring, or making a life in Durango, Colorado, Tamarron can be the place for you.  Recent exterior renovations make the complex up-to-date and attractive for vacations and vacation rentals. If you want a second home, and some help with the payments, Tamarron units have a proven rental history for summer travelers as well as skiers. The onsite amenities of the main lodge and spa include pool, health club facilities, and all exterior and common area maintenance. New golf course membership programs put the scenic, challenging 18 hole course at the Glacier Club within reach for all Tamarron owners. Nearby Durango Mountain Resort boasts winter sports fun, and skiing for the whole family. And, the San Juan Mountains, just 20 minutes away, offer hiking, snowshoeing, riding, fishing and biking. Look into Tamarron today; www.durangocoloradoproperty.net.